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NNever pass up an opportunity to spend some time in Stellenbosch, even if it’s only for 24 hours.
Eat
Treat yourself to Eike, a restaurant opened by award-winning chef Bertus Basson. It is an incredible experience of traditional South African dishes presented with a contemporary dramatic flair that is open for dinner only from Tuesdays to Saturdays. Eike serves a set menu of multiple courses (dietary requirements will be accommodated as far as possible) which will, in Basson’s words, change as inspiration strikes.
Stay
Plan a little overnight stay in the Winelands town because driving anywhere after a good Stellenbosch meal is not a good idea. Plus, if you drive, you wouldn’t be able to enjoy a nice glass of wine, and drinking wine is more or less an unspoken rule in this part of the world. It would be just rude not to.
The accommodation at 107 Dorpstraat Boutique Hotel, with rooms overlooking the street, is just so charming and quaint, you won't be disappointed. Stellenbosch is a vibrant town where you can safely walk the streets and enjoy sidewalk cafes and restaurants. It’s lovely to be able to walk around, even at night (taking the normal precautions of course), and staying over at a place so well located is a bonus.
Did You Know?
SStellenbosch was named after Simon van der Stel, a former governor of the Cape Colony and the founder of Stellenbosch. One thing you might not know about him is that he was the son of the Dutch governor of Mauritius.
TThe hotel boasts sleek and modern lines with bold and stylish accents. It has a rooftop garden and a wine bar on the ground level.
Play
Dorp Street is enough to keep you busy for the entire 24-hour sojourn. As the second-oldest road in the country, it’s full of interesting things to see, including being one of the longest rows of surviving old buildings of any major town in Southern Africa. Having been around since the early 18th century, there is a variety of architectural styles, from Cape Dutch to Victorian.
24 hours in vibrant Stellenbosch
PPlaces of particular note include the Verbatim Bookstore, which was once a funeral parlour with its windows built at the exact height needed to receive the recently deceased off wagons, and Oom Samie se Winkel, which remains a trading store in the same vein as its original function.
More modern is the Blue Crane Coffee Company, where they take their brew pretty seriously. You can get all the normal coffees, but if you ask nicely, they’ll make you something extra special in the lab. If you are in the mood to indulge, ask for a dreamy concoction of coffee, chocolate, cream and strawberries - and a few secret ingredients - which is delicious.
Make sure to visit the Toy & Miniature Museum. The museum is charming with its collection of 1:12 scale miniatures, room boxes, antique dolls, Dinky cars, cuddly toys and more. There is a large doll in a glass case, her head cast downward. The keeper of the toys told me that her eyes are too scary and she frightens all the children.
This special town will steal a piece of your heart. It is quaint, yet modern. It is historical, yet the food scene and wine bars are fresh and contemporary. It is an university town so the overall feel is vibrant, young and so so welcoming.
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